Maybe the point is that even those who do find The Dragon a wee bit overrated can still find some fun. There's more than one way to get an adrenaline rush!

 

Did you guys know that there is a secret group driving naked during the Midnight Dragon Runs? I wouldn't know...I was partying at the cabin

 

yea it's overrated, i would stay away from that overrated road
but, i go to the Smokey's/Dragon for the scenery & the good company i keep when i'm there

 

Wow, you ask a simple question that was written by some Journalist from the Great White North ...

Next thing you know, its all about

 

Perhaps a most scientific experiment is in order? I think it's time you make a journey to the Dragon and report back to us Chowsie

In the name of science of course.

 

I hang my head in shame at making a **x-sham of your thread. When all you did was ask a simple question. (I have to admit the smiley thing was brilliant)

 

The event itself was very worth while and should be attended at least once if possible. As with any large mini gathering it is fun to compare notes and get new ideas from other enthusiasts as well as meet our customers . As for the dragon itself to me it is more of a " love to visit but would not want to live there " situation. My impressions may be a bit jaded as we have some pretty nice roads out here in So. Cal. but to me the dragon was a bit too tight , even for the prepared Minis I was fortunate to drive. It was great fun, and a beautiful experience but just a bit too tight for my liking. Now a road that really stood out and I hope I get it correct was route 19 coming up from Atlanta. If that is the wrong number perhaps a local can help me out but it was amazing. Freshly paved, and lined , sweeping banked turns , 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gear , passing lanes on the uphill portions , truly amazing. I beleive it went thru a state park or forrest land if that is a hint of any type. MOTD a great experience but more so for the party than the driving in my opinion.

Randy
M7 Tuning

 

Did you take a ride on the Cherohala Skyway while in the area? If not, you would find that to your liking on a return trip.

 

o4 ... All is OK!!! I don't care ... plz dont feel bad

Motor On ...

Actually, I should say I have driven that road once, about in 1996, long before it was so well known and long before MINI were born. Its a long story but basically we were heading west for a trip around the country. Hit I40, down through the Smokies, then I (dummie me) got lost looking for the next Interstate. No GPS back then and the wife was absolutely furious because there was NOTHING there, just trees and bears, us in a loaded sedan and my stupid male ego refusing to ask directions

Of course at the time, I had no idea the road was to become famous. All my wife knew was she was SICK of the damnnn curves, sick of the trees, sick of seeing no cars, and sick of me

She forgave me about the time we hit Lousiana?

 

Too tight? That's a surprise to hear. I'm of the opinion that if the road can be negotiated without crossing the double yellow or running off the shoulder, then it isn't too tight. The tighter the better, in fact!

 

I can see Randy's point though. Remember, the original article was about Porsche NA doing a media day to show the MY07 models for the journalists. There are now more articles on the Internet about the exact same event from US journalists.

The Canadian journalist saying the road was overrated may be related to the fact they really couldn't open those cars up ... a matter of perspective ... If you never get out of second gear, you can't work a sports car as hard.

Are you more scared at 9/10s doing 30 - 50 MPH or at 75 MPH? I would imagine the faster the speed, the more the factor.

 

I'm good!!! Really. I just made our reservation for 2007. Get'm while you can NAMers if you want to go.

 

gosh darn it, i suppose i could drag myself to that overrated road again in the spring of 07

 

Chows you do get my point . I like the slightly higher speeds where more factors come into play. I am sure my fun was safer on the dragon than my usual haunts. Again its a good time and we will be back , it's just not my cup of tea .

Randy
M7 Tuning

 

Over hyped, maybe. Over rated? No.

 

Well, my first thought was that I don't think it would be anywhere near as much fun in a Porsche. I have nothing against Porsches, but just think the Dragon wouldn't be on the top of my list if I had one.
Oh, and the Dragon is definitely awesome on a Thursday around 10am. I've done a few day runs from here, and that has been the best run day by far.
And the 50mph crack from the journalist was just plain stupid. I can just picture smoking Porsches in the side of a cliff dotted throughout the 11 miles. Only a really experienced driver should even think about 50mph on the Dragon, and warn people first, so the rest of us can stay home!
Annette

 

when i was growing up, 50 WAS the limit on 129...

my mom used to barrel down that road in a custom cruiser filled with kids...

make us all sick.

whee!

 

That was just a comment by an automotive journalist. Since I have never been on the road (Except for a long time ago), I cannot comment on that since I dont know how fast people drive it.

 

YES, it wasn't much before it got a name, still the same with one. Just made me seasick and I am a sailboat skipper, and that was on a Yamaha RZ350, the ultimate small streetbike racer. I'll take all the other roads in that area any day and skip the traffic jams and all the COPS.

 

Well, what do you expect if you don't get out there early? LOL! My pals and I always get in great runs at the Dragon, even on weekends, by hitting the road SUPER EARLY! I've had clean runs with nobody else on the road!

 

that may be a tad dangerous..fun but dangerous

 

All this talk about the Dragon has made my mouth watr! I can't wait. Never been, but have heard all the tails ! We made our reservations last June, and I don't want to wish time away, but I'm ready to go!

 

...in short, NO!

I make the Haj every year if I can at the end of July...have travelled from CA 3 times to do so and will "commute" from Germany in '07. Luckily I keep my '91 BRG Miata at my bro's house in Atlanta...and a bunch of friends in the area including the folks at R-Speed!

 

..it's mostly about teh friendship and booze though. Lights-out runs accross the Cherhola Skyway at midnight under a full moon... and of course the nekked Gap Runs w/ my Darksider friends!

Blowing up 2 enginesin the last 6 or so years in the process was just an added bonus!